Western Digital
Western Digital WD 4TB My Passport Ultra (WDBFTM0040BSL-WESN)
Bottom line: The Western Digital WD 4TB My Passport Ultra ($259.99 on Amazon as of 2026-10-08): 4TB capacity in a bag-sized portable enclosure; main trade-off: ships formatted for Windows; Mac users must reformat.
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-08. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ 4TB capacity in a bag-sized portable enclosure
- ✓ 256-bit AES hardware encryption, not software-only
- ✓ USB-C port plus a USB 3.1 Type-A adapter in the box
- ✓ 3-year manufacturer's limited warranty
Cons
- ✗ Ships formatted for Windows; Mac users must reformat
- ✗ Spinning hard drive, so slower than an SSD
- ✗ USB 3.0 5 Gb/s interface caps real-world transfer speed
- ✗ Moving parts make it vulnerable to drops in transit
Manufacturer description
The WD My Passport Ultra 4TB gives you a full 4TB of portable storage in a metal-and-matte enclosure that is small enough to slide into a laptop bag. Western Digital pairs it with a USB-C port and a USB 3.1 Type-A adapter, so it plugs straight into a modern ultrabook or an older desktop without a dock or a hub. Security is the standout: 256-bit AES hardware encryption with password protection locks the drive itself rather than relying on a software layer, and the bundled WD Backup utility handles scheduled backups plus social media and cloud imports, with ransomware defense built into the…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored Western Digital WD 4TB My Passport Ultra using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the external storage category. Western Digital's external storage lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for external storage of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the WD My Passport Ultra 4TB work with a Mac?
It ships formatted for Windows 10, 8.1, and 7, so you would need to reformat it for macOS. The USB-C port connects to modern Macs directly, but WD Backup is a Windows utility.
Do I need a separate USB-C cable or adapter?
No. The drive uses USB-C and includes a USB 3.0 Type-C to Type-A adapter, so it connects to both USB-C and older Type-A ports out of the box.
How does the password protection actually work?
The drive uses 256-bit AES hardware encryption tied to a password you set. The encryption runs on the drive itself rather than in host software.
What warranty comes with this drive?
Western Digital covers it with a 3-year limited manufacturer's warranty. Check the product listing for current terms in your region.
Is it fast enough for backing up a whole system?
It connects over a 5 Gb/s USB 3.0 Type-C port, which is ample for full-system and photo-library backups. It is a mechanical hard drive, so it is slower than an external SSD for frequent large transfers.
Key Features
- USB-C and USB 3.1 compatible
- Innovative style with refined metal cover
- Password protection with 256-bit AES hardware encryption
- Formatted for Windows
- 3-year manufacturer's limited warranty
Full Specifications
| Brand | WD |
|---|---|
| Color | Silver |
| Model Name | My Passport Ultra |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
| Form Factor | 2.5-inch |
| Media Speed | 500 MB/s |
| Connectivity | USB-C |
| Model Number | WDBFTM0040BSL-WESN |
| Built-In Media | Portable hard drive, Quick Start Guide, USB 3.0 cable |
| Item Type Name | WD 4TB Silver My Passport Ultra Portable External Hard Drive - USB 3.0 - WDBFTM0040BSL-WESN |
| Hard-Drive Size | 4 TB |
| Mfr Part Number | WDBFTM0040BSL-WESN |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Special Feature | Hardware Encryption, Portable |
| Hardware Platform | Mac, PC |
| Installation Type | External Hard Drive |
| Compatible Devices | PC |
| Data Transfer Rate | 2.5 Megabytes Per Second |
| Enclosure Material | Metal |
| Additional Features | Hardware Encryption, Portable |
| Full listing title | WD 4TB My Passport Ultra, Silver, Portable External Hard Drive, backup software with defense against ransomware, and password protection, USB-C and USB 3.1 - WDBFTM0040BSL-WESN |
Ready to buy?
WD 4TB My Passport Ultra, Silver, Portable External Hard Drive, backup software with defense against ransomware, and password protection, USB-C and USB 3.1 - WDBFTM0040BSL-WESN is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-08. Price and availability subject to change.
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